Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House | Dec. 6Festivities kick off with Santa Claus arrival by ferryboat at 3:20pm, followed by frosty fun on Snow Mountain until 7pm and carolers at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Other highlights include a popular Holiday Parade at 6pm and Merchants Open House 5-9pm down Orange Ave., a traditional Christmas tree lighting at 7pm and community band concert in Rotary Park. Contact: 619-435-9260 / www.coronadochamber.com

Alpine Parade of Lights & Snow Festival | Dec. 6There will be a visit from Santa and lots of snow! Enjoy various vendors, food, music and fun for the entire family! Time/Place: 6-9pm / Alpine Community Center Contact: www.visitalpine.org

US Beach Soccer National Championships | Dec. 6-8All Pro-Am Beach Soccer events are open to everyone to be part of the growing sport. We want all players, teams, clubs to enjoy the beach and treasure the benefits of playing on the sand. Time/Place: Mission Beach: N Jetty Road Contact: 415-308-0603 / www.usbeachsoccerchampionships.com

Jingle Bell Run | Dec. 7The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure Americas #1 cause of disability. Put on your favorite holiday costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Time/Place: 6:30-11am / Liberty Station NTC Park Contact: https://events.arthritis.org

Red Nose Run | Dec. 7A holiday 5K that benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and Semper Fi Fund. Your choice of a 3k or 5k run along the beautiful Del Mar beach. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Holiday apparel and a prize will be awarded for best costume. Time/Place: 12:30-4pm / Powerhouse Park, Del MarContact: www.therednoserun.com

Artisans Alley Craft Fair | Dec. 7More than 160 vendors selling homemade crafts and unique holiday gifts. All proceeds from the fair support the Coronado Band & Choir in the elementary, middle and high schools. Time/Place: 9am-3pm / Village Elementary School Coronado Contact: http://coronadoartisansalley.weebly.com

Winter Wonderland Festival | Dec. 7Children will have the chance to frolic in real snow, create winter-themed arts and crafts, and even rendezvous with live reindeer! Food and drink will be available. Time/Place: 3-7pm / California Center for the Arts, Escondido Contact: www.artcenter.org

Fallbrook Christmas Parade | Dec. 7A Storybook Christmas A special day in early December when Fallbrook residents and visitors alike come to enjoy this gift to the community from the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. Time/Place: 5pm / Main Avenue: Ammunition to Ivy Contact: www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org

Encinitas Holiday Parade | Dec. 7Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands more cheering them on. 5pm tree lighting ceremony with a brief appearance by Santa at the Lumberyard. Time/Place: 5-7:30pm / Coast Highway 101 Contact: www.encinitasca.gov

La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village | Dec. 13-14Walk the streets of La Mesas historic downtown and enjoy live music and dance, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids area with holiday movies and activities. Time/Place: 5-9pm / La Mesa Village Contact: 619-343-2460 / www.lamesavillageassociation.org

Old Town Las Posadas | Dec. 14Fiesta de Reyes invites you to enjoy the holiday spirit with festive decorations throughout the park, entertainment, and holiday experiences for the whole family. Time/Place: 12-8pm / Old Town San Diego Contact: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28348

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights | Dec. 14Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag. Many of the boats feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd. Time/Place: 7-9pm / Oceanside HarborContact:www.oceansideyc.net

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights | Dec. 14This free, distinctly California celebration features boats decorated for the annual holiday season that will sail around Mission Bay. A highly anticipated event in the San Diego community, dozens of vessels take to the water for the parade. Time/Place: 6-9pm / Mission Bay Contact: www.mbyc.org

Old Town Dia de los Muertos | Nov. 1-3This free event will include the traditional candlelight procession on November 2nd. The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with street food, vendors and activities on San Diego Avenue. Many Old Town restaurants will be providing special menus and live music, along with activities for the entire family.Contact: 619-291-4903 / www.oldtownsandiego.org

Escondido Da de los Muertos Festival | Nov. 1-4Guests are invited to create altars to remember and honor their loved ones in a special area outside of the Center’s museum. The event also features live music, traditional Mexican fare, sugar skull decorating and more.Time/Place: 5-9pm / California Center for the Arts Contact:www.artcenter.org

San Diego Beer Week | Nov. 1-10A 10-day celebration, promoting more than 130 independent craft breweries in San Diego County. Events are held throughout SD County at participating breweries, bars and restaurants.Contact: 858-581-7368 / www.sdbeer.com/sdbw

Carrera de los Muertos San Diego | Nov. 3Enjoy a festive and scenic 5k or 10k run along San Diego Bay and stay to celebrate with mariachi, dancers and comida deliciosa!Time/Place: 6:45am-12pm / Embarcadero Park SouthContact:www.losmuertos5k.com

Fallback Festival | Nov. 3Travel back in time to enjoy our old west town! Pan for gold, saddle up on pony rides and enjoy live entertainment.Time/Place: 11am-4pm / Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton HouseContact: 619-233-4692 / www.gaslampfoundation.org

Carlsbad Fall Village Faire | Nov. 3Over 800 vendors will sell everything from clothes and accessories to plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The international food court will feature more than 50 booths. The children’s area will entertain youngsters.Time/Place: 8am-4pm / Grand Avenue between Carlsbad Blvd. & Jefferson St.Contact:www.kennedyfaires.com/carlsbad

Fleet Week San Diego | Nov. 4-12Honor and celebrate the men and women of the military through events that entertain and alliances that thank and support these heroes.Time/Place: See website for schedule of events.Contact: 619-858-1545 / www.fleetweeksandiego.org

Coronado Island Film Festival | Nov. 8-11Parties, panels, exhibits, workshops, special events and a wide variety of films by filmmakers from every level of the craft, from emerging student to seasoned pro.Contact:www.coronadoislandfilmfest.com

Ride the Point Memorial Charity Bicycle Ride | Nov. 9Ride the Point encompasses the most picturesque natural coastline in Southern California on exclusive routes along San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.Time/Place: 6am-12pm / Liberty StationContact:www.ridethepoint.org

Silver Strand Half Marathon, 10 Miler & Veterans Day 5K | Nov. 10Run, walk, skate, roll, elliptiGO with the waves of the Pacific Ocean on your right. The ONLY Run with the waves of the Pacific Ocean on your right and the San Diego Bay on your left, finishing with a California Beach Party!Time/Place: 7-11:30pm / Sunset Park, CoronadoContact: 858-268-1250 / www.silverstrandhalf.com

Padres Pedal the Cause | Nov. 13-17One of the top 15 cause-related cycling events in the country, bringing together a community of over 3,500 passionate riders, walkers and spinners to help find cures for cancer. There is also a 5k Walk/Run, Spin Classes and a Kids Challenge.Time/Place: 8am-12:30pm / Petco ParkContact: 619-510-4955 / www.gopedal.org/ridesandiego

Breast Cancer Cheering Station | Nov. 15We will have a water, music and cheer station to root on the walkers, who will start their journeys at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Volunteers decorate the street with pink balloons and ribbons, and hand out water to each walker.Time/Place: 7:30-8:45am / Camino Del MarContact:www.visitdelmarvillage.com

Bikes & Beer San Diego | Nov. 16 Ride 15 or 30 miles through the city of San Diego with a large group and enjoy some of the best sights of the city! The event benefits BikeSD to improve cycling conditions in San Diego. The post-ride festival will feature live music, food trucks, outside games and free beer!Time/Place: 9:30am / Societe Brewing: 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.Contact:www.bikesandbeers.com

Encinitas Holiday Street Fair | Nov. 24With 450+ booths, plus dozens of unique downtown retailers. Enjoy music in The Lumberyard Courtyard and dance, music and other entertainment on the Community Stage next to Ace Hardware. Take your young ones to the Kids Zone and walk your furry friends into Dog Zone.Time/Place: 9am-4pm / Coast Highway 101 between D and J StreetsContact: 760-943-1950 / www.kennedyfaires.com/encinitas

San Diego Jazz Fest and Swing Extravaganza | Nov. 27-Dec. 1Jazz bands and musicians from across the U.S. will perform. Festival presentations include great variety: trad, swing, boogie-woogie, ragtime, dixieland, gospel, rockabilly.Time/Place: Town and Country Resort & Convention CenterContact: 619-297-5277 / www.sdjazzfest.org

Running of the Turkeys 10K Trail Run | Nov. 28The course will take you through beautiful Penasquitos Canyon. NO official entry fee; we would truly appreciate a minimum $20 donation for our partner charity Operation Rebound, a branch of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.Time/Place: 7:30-10am / Torrey Hills Neighborhood ParkContact:www.gutcheckfitness.com/turkey-trot-10k

San Diego Run for the Hungry 5K & 10K | Nov. 28Benefiting the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. An added bonus to the event includes the participation of dogs, and each registered dog receives a bandana and dog treats along the course.Time/Place: 7-10am / Westfield Horton Plaza MallContact:www.sdrunforthehungry.org

Thank You Run 5K/10K and Kids Run | Nov. 28Raises funds for Helen’s Closet and San Diegans suffering with ALS. All participants will receive a tech t-shirt, finishers medal and one beer ticket for the beer garden (21+).Time/Place: 7-10am / 4S Ranch Community ParkContact: 858-449-1101 / www.sandiegorunningco.com/thankyourun

Surfin Santa Arrival | Nov. 30Visitors can pose for free pictures with Santa on his giant surfboard, riding a six-foot wave. A festive parade along the boardwalk, live street performers and a wide variety of unique, local shops will keep visitors busy throughout the event.Time/Place: 1-5pm / Seaport VillageContact: 619-530-0704 / www.seaportvillage.com

Julian Country Christmas Tree Lighting | Nov. 30The holiday season in Julian offers an opportunity to shop at small boutiques and craft shows, without crowds or lines, for one-of-a-kind gifts. Be in Pioneer Park By 5:30pm to be sure you do not miss the tree lighting.Time/Place: 2-7pm / Julian Pioneer ParkContact: 760-765-1857 / www.visitjulian.com

We’re back with our Home Buying 101 Series and it’s time to wrap up disclosures! Last time, I discussed the various disclosures that a seller provides to a buyer. We’re now going to review the disclosures that are given to the buyer AND the seller by the brokerages or agents who represent them. Let’s jump right in, shall we?

One of the very first documents that a buyer or seller receives is an AD (Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationship). This form discusses what an agent’s obligations are to each party involved in the transaction. It also covers the responsibilities that are required if an agent is representing both parties (dual agency). Additionally, this document states that a buyer or seller should contact a competent professional for legal or tax advice.

Next up is the Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure. This form makes the buyer or seller aware of any third parties involved in the transaction. This could be anyone from an insurance company to an escrow company to a home warranty company.

A buyer will also receive an MCA (Market Condition Advisory). I call this the “cooling-off form”. Sometimes, in the frenzy of multiple offers, a buyer will give away their contingencies just so they can get the property. However, giving this form to a buyer as they’re writing an offer helps them really consider what they’re doing. The MCA goes over market conditions and the potential risks in those changing conditions. It also talks about buyers writing non-contingent offers, the dos and don’ts of a loan, appraisals and inspection contingencies. This form also advises sellers on the value of a property and how an agent will give them comparable homes that have sold in the area, but it is ultimately up to them to decide at what price to list their property.

The PRBS (Possible Representation of More Than One Buyer or Seller-Disclosure and Consent) discloses how a brokerage represents many different buyers and sellers and the impact that has on either party. It discusses dual agency again, and also lets buyers know their offer may not be confidential. Unfortunately, hackers and scammers are alive and well. Because unsuspecting buyers have unknowingly wired funds to hackers and scammers, we now have to make buyers aware that they need to confirm wiring instructions with their escrow office, using the WFA (Wire Fraud Advisory).

The SBSA (Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory) is generally signed with the purchase agreement or shortly thereafter. It is a 57-paragraph, 12-page document that educates the buyer and seller on what they should be aware of in the purchase or sale of a home.

Hang tight, we’re almost there!

There are two final disclosures that happen during the buyer-contingency period of a transaction. The first disclosure is the LAD (Local Area Disclosures for San Diego County.) This document discloses numerous things to a buyer, like if the home is in a flight path.

The final disclosure form given separately by the buyer’s agent and listing agent is an AVID (Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure.) This form is exactly what it sounds like. The agent walks through the home and writes down anything that he or she visually sees, hears, or smells at the property. Note: This is not to replace a home inspection by a qualified CREA-certified home inspector. The agent will generally note things like stains in the carpet, scuffs in paint, or it could note that the seller installed new flooring in the living room, etc.

Well, that’s it, can you believe it? Of course, in the real estate world, laws and forms change often and can affect the process. By this time next year, there will be additional changes – guaranteed! This is why it’s important for both buyers and sellers to work with an agent who treats their real estate career as a business. It’s not a hobby, or a way to make extra cash while working another job. Your largest purchase should be facilitated by someone who knows the law and has their hand on the pulse of the current market. In other words, you want an agent who is focused on real estate!

In the meantime, if you’re considering buying or selling this year or next, it’s never too early to seek the advice of a real estate professional and lender. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 619.405.7673 or homes@livininsd.com.